7 January 2019

Education sector hope for innovation

Brexit, like most tumultuous events, could lead eventually to innovation, but is now creating uncertainty in some areas for the education sector.

Education institutions and bodies have voiced a wide range of concerns, including over the funding of apprenticeships. Tony Green, director of the Heart of Worcestershire College, said: “The unrelenting focus on Brexit has meant the UK Government is ignoring other issues such as skills, apprenticeships and upskilling the workforce.

“While Brexit won’t necessarily affect the apprenticeship model, it will affect the number of people going into apprenticeships, what happens to them afterwards and the rules and regulations around delivery. This is a challenge for colleges up and down the country.”

Aiming to address the skills gap, Gary Woodman of the Worcestershire LEP said that the LEP was encouraging young people to consider a wide variety of routes into further education, including non-degree options, to improve training and skills for all.

EU funding is currently available for apprenticeships, but there is no proposal currently for the Government to match that funding once the UK leaves the EU.

Kristine Scott, head of HCR’s education team, said: “How to address skills shortages which could follow Brexit, as well as the future of global recruitment, are at the forefront of educators’ minds. There are many issues for schools and educational institutions to consider – they welcome students from all over the world, and access to our education system is valued; we don’t yet know how that access will be made available.”